Exploring the Yoga of the Heart

August 30 – September 6, 2026 | Italy

A week of yoga, rest & Italian countryside living.

This retreat is an invitation to slow down and step out of everyday momentum, embracing ‘dolce far niente’ - the sweetness of unhurried time. Rather than adding layers of technique, we’ll explore the Yoga of the Heart as a practice of discernment: learning to recognise what feels true, steady, and alive beneath the noise of constant input. When attention is guided in this way, practice becomes both demanding and nourishing - less about doing more, and more about sensing what matters.

Supported by the Italian countryside, at Ca' Cecchino - with its simplicity, connection to nature, and nurturing organic local food - the retreat invites real rest, not as an escape, but as a ground for deeper practice. It is a chance to connect with yourself and others in an intimate setting of a maximum of 10 participants.

The week will leave its mark quietly: in how you practice, how you rest, and how you meet everyday life.

Who is this retreat for?

This retreat is for you if you’re curious about how yoga might become not only something you do, but something that lives quietly within you.

Rather than accumulating new techniques, this week focuses on simplifying. Often it is through subtraction that practice reveals its depth. Together, we will explore the Yoga of the Heart as a practice of discernment - supported through asana, pranayama, and meditation, as well as gentle inquiry into philosophical texts such as the Heart Sutra.

Meet Your Teacher

Hey, my name is Silas. After I met the physical practice of asana in 2019 during a martial arts training in China, yoga revealed itself as something much deeper - an ongoing process of refining awareness, understanding movement, and learning to meet life with presence.

For me Yoga is a practice of exploration - a way to stay curious, adaptable, and open to change. My aim is not to provide answers but to offer tools and practices that empower you to listen deeply, move with awareness, and cultivate equanimity in both body and mind.

In my classes, I encourage you to challenge your limits while remaining receptive to the subtleties of practice. Strength and effort exist alongside softness and surrender. I create spaces where you can not only build physical and mental bandwidth but also develop the capacity to navigate life with a sense of clarity, playfulness, and connection to your own heart, the hearts of others, and everything in-between.

Previous Retreat Experiences

“Stunning location, carefully curated classes, wonderful food, and the best part was the amazing group of people - it felt like we were old friends coming together for a getaway. Many months afterwards, I still find myself using the guidance and pointers in my yoga practice.”
— Annika N.

“It was an amazing experience, from the yoga, to the impeccable food, to a group of people I now consider my kin, to the fun spontaneous moments! It’s a experience that brings infinite smiles to me. From this retreat, my love of yoga is stronger than ever, I have won a wonderful community of friends, and I can't wait to do it again sometime soon!”
— Phoebe B.

Retreat Location

The retreat takes place at Ca’ Cecchino, nestled in the rolling hills of the Montefeltro area located in the Italian region called Marche. Surrounded by open landscapes, nature, and wide skies, the setting naturally supports a slower rhythm of living - one shaped by light, weather, and space rather than schedules.

Accommodation

Accommodation is arranged across four spacious flats within a historic farmhouse on the land, offering both comfort and a sense of personal space. Three of the flats host two participants each, while one larger flat includes two separate bedrooms. All flats feature their own bathroom and living room, creating space to settle in and unwind throughout the week.

You’re welcome to book together with a friend or partner. If you’re coming alone, room arrangements will be handled thoughtfully.

If you have specific questions or needs around accommodation or room sharing, feel free to reach out before booking.

Nourishment

Food is an integral part of the retreat experience, supporting both the body and the rhythm of practice.

Each day includes a generous brunch and evening dinner, as well as coffee, tea, and a light morning snack before practice. Meals are prepared using locally sourced and farm-grown ingredients whenever possible, reflecting the agricultural roots of the land. The approach to food is simple, fresh, and nourishing.

All meals are vegetarian, with vegan options available. If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, please let us know in advance, and we will try our best to accommodate them.

For more impressions of the place and surroundings, you can visit:
www.cacecchino.it

Getting There

• Fly to Rimini (direct flights available from Basel and other cities)

• Rental car or coordinated airport pickup

• Train to Pesaro, with pickup arranged

If you’re unsure how to get there, just get in touch - arrivals will be coordinated together.

Timing & Flow

The retreat begins with arrival on August 30 from 14:00 onwards, allowing time to settle in, arrive and slowly transition into the quieter rhythm.

We will gather for a shared dinner that evening. Depending on arrival times, there may be an optional gentle evening practice.

Our first full day of practice begins the following morning.

The retreat concludes on September 6 with a morning practice followed by brunch. Departure is planned for late morning, allowing for an unhurried closing to the week.

Program Overview (Sample Day)

07:30 – Silent Meditation
We begin the day in stillness, allowing the nervous system to settle and the mind to clear before movement and speech.

08:00 – Morning Yoga Practice
A guided pranayama and asana practice designed to awaken the body and set the tone for the day ahead.

10:00 – Brunch
Slow, nourishing meals prepared with local, farm-grown ingredients, enjoyed together.

Late Morning & Afternoon – Integration & Spacious Time
This part of the day is intentionally unstructured, offering space to integrate the morning practice and follow what your body and nervous system need most.

You may choose to: 

• Rest by the pool or in nature

• Journal or sit quietly

• Take a gentle walk through the countryside

• Join optional activities offered on site

Nothing is required. This time is about listening inward rather than following a schedule.

16:30 / 17:00 – Evening Practice
An afternoon practice of yin yoga, chanting, and philosophical inquiry into the Yoga of the Heart — slower, deeper, and more reflective.

18:30 – Dinner
A shared evening meal as the light softens over the hills, inviting connection and ease.

Optional Activities (Available During Free Time)
Depending on group energy and interest, optional activities may be available, such as:

• Pottery workshop

• Mountain biking

• Castle visits

• Day trip to Urbino

• Massage treatments

All optional activities are booked on site and paid separately.

Pricing

Accommodation is arranged across four flats, each offering quiet, comfort, and personal space to settle in.

Apartment il Rosone - Shared Flat (4 students, two bedrooms)
CHF 1,350 Early Bird (valid until June 1, 2026)
CHF 1,450 Regular

Apartment il Bosco - Private Flat for Two
CHF 1,500 Early Bird (valid until June 1, 2026)
CHF 1,600 Regular

Apartment Pi Cagna - Private Flat for Two
CHF 1,500 Early Bird (valid until June 1, 2026)
CHF 1,600 Regular

Apartment il Camino - Premium Flat with Fireplace (2 students)
CHF 1,650 Early Bird (valid until June 1, 2026)
CHF 1,750 Regular

To secure your spot, a non-refundable deposit of €300 is required upon booking.
The remaining balance is due closer to the retreat.